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Oak Grove Boy Scout raising money for Africa

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 gather at New Hope Church for a Family Fun and Food Truck Rally

Oak Grove's Cody O'Neil, 17, will organize an event this weekend that completes his next big community service project.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6, youth from Clackamas County, including the Clackamas County 4-H, Clackamas County Sheriff Explorers, and Cascade Pacific Council Boy Scouts will gather at New Hope Church to host a Family Fun and Food Truck Rally. O'Neil says proceeds from the food sales and donations will go to provide a clean water source for years to come in Kerfi, Chad.

In 2016, O'Neil was named one of Pamplin Media's Amazing Kids for his Quacking Down on World Hunger project, tackling hunger by raising ducks. By completing another leadership project, he is in the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout through the Cascade Pacific Council Boy Scouts of America.

"Having completed my world hunger program, I decided to focus on the No. 1 worldwide killer of children under the age of 5 — unclean water," he said. "Did you know that 4,000 kids die every day from diseases caused by not having access to clean water? That means that in one year the number of kids who die from diseases caused by unclean water is equal to the number of all the kids in Oregon. This is why I've decided to take on this issue for my project."

At this weekend's event, the community is invited to learn about life in Kerfi as they enjoy items from top food-truck vendors and activities for the whole family, including an inflatable obstacle course, scavenger hunt and a petting zoo. O'Neil also wants attendees to get to know "community heroes" through demonstrations by Clackamas Fire, Clackamas County SWAT and police-canine officer teams.

"All the planning is coming together, and we've already raised a portion of the funds needed to build the well," he said.

More information and links to give donations to the project can be found at facebook.com/events/283600319133095 and give.worldconcern.org/fundraiser/1587820.